Statement by BADMC on theft of yams

The Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) wishes to advise the general public of the theft of approximately 10 000 pounds of yams from its farm operations.

This large-scale theft occurred over the period of the evening of January 2, 2026, to the early morning hours of January 5, 2026.

We have been advised that this was one of several similar incidents over that weekend, which occurred in the St Philip and St John parishes. These thefts have been reported to The Barbados Police Service, and they have opened an investigation into the matter.

Vendors and retailers are urged to be alert to the high risk of handling stolen property. Due to the limited availability of this commodity on the island, purchasers are advised to exercise caution when procuring or negotiating with any individual or business claiming to have this produce for sale.

Large-scale buyers (in excess of 100 lbs) should insist on a formal invoice and actively seek verification of the seller’s identity through valid Farmers’ Identification cards or, at a minimum, the presentation of a Barbados National Identification Card for record-keeping purposes.

Buyers should also demand confirmation of the farm location from which the crop was sourced.

These measures are expected to assist The Barbados police Service in identifying the perpetrators of this crime.

BADMC strongly encourages the general public to assist in stamping out this organised criminal activity which denies hardworking farmers of their livelihoods. Theft at this scale results in potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue to the farming community.

As stated by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security, Indar Weir: “This whole thing comes down to Barbadians wanting to see the end of praedial larceny, because the law is there. It comes down to enforcement. If people are going to tolerate people stealing crops and driving around in vehicles or standing up at a corner and selling it, and don’t help us to enforce the law by asking people to show how they’re obtaining that produce, then we’re never going to get rid of it.” (PR)